Woman wanted for questioning in heroin overdose remains in Maine jail

PORTSMOUTH - A local woman wanted by police for questioning in relation to a death from an apparent heroin overdose last month remains behind bars in Maine following her arrest Wednesday night.

Deputy Chief Captain Corey MacDonald said Jennifer Landry, 41, with a last known address of 309 Oriental Gardens, Portsmouth, was still locked up following her arrest in Portland, Maine. “She’s being held on a possession charge,” MacDonald said Friday afternoon. “And because she’s a fugitive from justice she’s being held without bail.”

According to a press release issued by the Portsmouth Police Department Wednesday, Landry is wanted for felony possession of a controlled drug - heroin. This possession allegedly occurred on Friday, November 23 - only a few days after a fatal heroin overdose took the life of 22-year-old local resident on November 20.

Police, who are still investigating the circumstances surrounding this woman’s death, previously said they were hoping to speak with Landry relative to their investigation. MacDonald declined to elaborate on Landry’s possible role in the overdose, citing the ongoing investigation.

“We would like to speak with her,” he confirmed. “And she is liable for the felony possession charge.”

According to a clerk at Portland District Court, although Landry was scheduled to appear in front of a judge at 1 p.m. Friday, she couldn’t elaborate on the outcome of that hearing - including whether Landry chose to waive extradition.

Under New Hampshire RSA 318-B: 26 IX, “Any person who manufactures, sells or dispenses methamphetamine, lysergic acid (LSD), PCP, or any other controlled drug classified in schedule I, II, or any controlled drug analog there of, in violation of RSA 318-B: 2, is strictly liable for a death which results from the injection, inhalation or ingestion of that substance and may be sentenced to imprisonment for life or for such term as the court may order.”

On Wednesday, MacDonald said police were committed to finding those involved in last month’s overdose and levying the appropriate punishments. “We are committed to finding the person or persons who provided heroin to the young woman who overdosed and to ensuring that they are held responsible for selling her the drugs that we believe may have resulted in her death,” MacDonald said.

“While heroin is always potentially fatal, we hope that people who are addicted understand that there may be a batch of the drug on the street at this time which is even more lethal,” he continued. “Now would be a good time to seek help.”

Anyone with information regarding the circumstances surrounding the November 20 overdose are asked to call Det. Rochelle Jones at 610-7503, or Crime Stoppers if they wish to remain anonymous. Individuals can also leave an anonymous tip by logging on to www.seacoastcrimestoppers.org or send an SMS text to CRIMES (274637) and include TIPSCS in your message. You could be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 if your information leads to an arrest and indictment.